Major coup for WA Thoroughbred Breeders

Tuesday, 22 March 2016 - The owners of Saturday’s Golden Slipper winner Capitalist were holding their breath when the previously undefeated All American filly Yankee Rose started to reel him in. This was in stark contrast with the elation of Geisel Park’s Principal Eddie Rigg, who had just inked the deal to stand the former outstanding 2yo All American, this season at his picturesque South West property.

“I’ve always dreamt of getting the next Scenic for WA and while recent additions to sire ranks here in WA of Snippetson, War Chant and Dash for Cash have been terrific, they join our champion sire Blackfriars in the twilight of their careers. So I enlisted the services of the bloke who identified and sourced Scenic for Durham Lodge back in 1999, Mark Pilkington. Pilko mentioned All American had a very similar sire profile as Scenic did at the time of his acquisition and when we looked into him we agreed”, said Rigg. “He had bought him as a yearling and fortunately still managed some of the part owners interests so we were able to facilitate a deal”

“The heavy lifting has been done by Arrowfield and the All American syndicate. His oldest progeny are only 4 and he has big numbers of quality stock to follow”, said the Melbourne based Pilkington. “His first crop included the top class Gerald Ryan galloper Bachman, the Hawkes stables best 2yo Invisible and the highly regarded Eisenhower from the Waterhouse yard. His second crop included a star miler Green Card who was sold to Hong Kong for a reputed $1m when at the top of the early Caulfield Guineas markets. His yearlings have been popular – selling to $360,000. On the back of a wonderful 2yo crop this year that includes Lindsay Park’s Moonee Valley winner Rampage, All American has had 22 yearlings sell to $160,000 and average $69,000 this year. He provides mares of all backgrounds a wonderful out cross.”

An outstanding pre-Christmas Stakes winning 2yo, All American ran second in the Blue Diamond, an unlucky 5th in Sebring’s Golden Slipper then raced on to win the Emirates Stakes. In running the fastest ever Flemington mile by an entire he left international star So You Think in his wake when he was in career best form. His Hall of Fame trainer David Hayes said “he had the physique of a 3yo miler yet was one of fastest and precocious 2yos. He trained on to beat the world champion at 4. He retired as sound as he raced, my vet never saw him. I wish I had another one like him.”

“I was sure we had the right horse prior to the Slipper but I’m pinching myself now Yankee Rose has announced herself as the real deal. She heads the market for the Group 1 Sires Produce Stakes and looks a bona fide star in the making”, said Rigg.

The ownership group want to place his fee at a competitive level at his initial season in WA as they are mindful of breeders’ returns. So despite siring Australia’s Champion 2yo filly elect – Yankee Rose. All American will stand at $10,000+GST. “We are releasing 15 early bird introductory nominations $7000+GST to reward those breeders who recognise All American’s undeniable claims on future Westspeed premierships.”

For bookings and further information contact:

Geisel Park | Conor Dunlop 0447 434 735 or Eddie Rigg 0418 942 304

Mark Pilkington Management | Mark Pilkington 0418 955 837